Psych 1.1.2 Neuroplasticity

The Brain and Behaviour

"What is neuroplasticity?"

"Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change its structure and function in response to environmental demands

"What is synaptic plasticity?"

"Synaptic plasticity refers to changes at the level of individual neurons through the formation or elimination of synaptic connections

"How does chronic stress affect neuroplasticity?"

"Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels can damage neurons

"What were the findings of Draganski et al. (2004) regarding juggling?"

"Juggling practice led to increased grey matter in the mid-temporal cortex

"What is a critical consideration regarding the generalizability of neuroplasticity research?"

"Translating findings from human and animal models to wider human populations is challenging due to differences in brain complexity and environmental factors."

"What was the focus of Luby et al. (2013) study?"

"The study investigated the relationship between poverty

"What is neural pruning?"

"Neural pruning is the process of eliminating weaker synaptic connections while strengthening frequently used ones to optimize brain efficiency."

"What is the challenge of bidirectionality in neuroplasticity?"

"It is difficult to determine whether changes in brain structure cause behavioral shifts or are a result of them."

"How can neuroplasticity be applied in education?"

"Neuroplasticity can inform personalized education methods that improve learning outcomes for students with diverse needs."

"What did Merzenich et al. (1984) study?"

"They studied how the sensory cortex of adult owl monkeys adapts after digit amputation

"What is a concern regarding the long-term effects of neuroplasticity interventions?"

"Many interventions focus on short-term gains

"What is cortical remapping?"

"Cortical remapping is the reorganization of the brain’s cortical areas

"How does neuroplasticity relate to mental health treatments?"

"Understanding neuroplasticity allows treatments like CBT and mindfulness to target neural patterns linked to mental health conditions."

"What did Maguire et al. (2000) find about taxi drivers?"

"Taxi drivers showed increased grey matter in the posterior hippocampus

"What role does neuroplasticity play in rehabilitation?"

"Neuroplasticity-based therapies are used to aid recovery for stroke survivors and individuals with traumatic brain injuries."

"What technologies are used to study neuroplasticity?"

"Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and functional MRI (fMRI) are used to map and measure neuroplastic changes in the brain."

"What is a potential risk of brain stimulation techniques?"

"While they may enhance performance temporarily